The Kirkus Prize is one of the richest literary awards in the world, with a prize of $50,000 bestowed annually to authors of fiction, nonfiction and young readers’ literature. It was created to celebrate the 81 years of discerning, thoughtful criticism Kirkus Reviews has contributed to both the publishing industry and readers at large. Books that earned the Kirkus Star with publication dates between November 1, 2014, and October 31, 2015, are automatically nominated for the 2015 Kirkus Prize, and the winners will be selected on October 23, 2015, by an esteemed panel composed of nationally respected writers and highly regarded booksellers, librarians and Kirkus critics.

KIRKUS REVIEW

When Grandpa went to school in the 1940s, there were only three rooms for eight grades, no indoor bathroom or cafeteria, and a wood-burning stove to keep the kids warm. His grandson loves hearing the stories about the small country school and especially how Grandpa was the smartest until fifth grade, when the new girl beat him in the yearlong spelling bee. In an intimate style akin to Radio Rescue, both text and sketchy watercolors have a charming innocence that conveys a peek into the past without being overly nostalgic, sappy, or maudlin. A child-friendly history lesson made relevant with details like built-in inkwells, lunch boxes, flypaper strips, and peeing in the snow, proving that kids in a small country school learned better than those in a big city school. Map endpapers create the setting and the ending sets up the next story. A+. (Picture book. 4-8)

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